2007/01/26

2007.01.24

We left Spanish Cay Marina at around 09.00 hrs in order to make the rather shallow entrance to Black Sound at high tide or very shortly thereafter. Having made our way under power over the shallow part away from Spanish Cay the wind was set fair and all sails went up…….. !!

More superlative sailing with the wind at a steady 13/15 knots abaft the beam. L’Equipe and “Solitaire 1’ lapped this up and were reasonably evenly matched at a steady 6.5/7.00 knots. We were able to take some nice shots of “L’Equipe” as she did her best to outrun us. Two hours later with great regret it was time to bring in the sails and start our approach to the Black Sound entrance at Green Turtle Cay. I say regret because on this day as also on the previous day’s sail I have been extremely tempted to just say “let’s keep going and to hell with where we end up…!!!!” Discretion however has always been the better part of valour.

Our approach to Black Sound was straight forward although cautious and we passed through the shallow spots with no problem – once into the sound you are in plenty of water but the channel in (or out) must be negotiated at high water or very close thereto even for our two boats which draw a maximum of five and a half feet .

Luck was on our side and we found two mooring balls close to each other and were quickly secured. After that it was lunch and then dropping the engine into the dinghy (our version of the motor car), we were ready to explore the town of New Plymouth.What a charming town we found…..! This is an absolutely lovely place – everybody that we have met has been so friendly, good stores if we needed supplies at not unreasonable prices – just a gorgeous place! We will likely be on our mooring ball for a few days and at $10.00 per diem it is hard to beat for value. When we asked how we pay we were told to just come by the marina and tell them how many days we were on the mooring and pay whatever was due…. Now that’s trust, unlike some of the places who want credit cards and addresses etc immediately upon arrival!

After exploring the town on foot and investing in a fishing rod etc so that we can really try and be totally self sufficient (some hope!), we made a reservation for a golf cart for the next day. These are , by the way, the preferred mode of transportation here even for locals. Supper, again, was had aboard “L’Equipe”, pork tenderloin, potato salad, and a delicious curry salad with fruit, veggies and pasta along with the requisite amount of vino.

Today (24th) has been a grand day……. Meeting on the dinghy dock at 08.30 hrs for breakfast in a small restaurant – a good old fashioned English breakfast of ham, eggs and toast and then we picked up our golf cart and set off to explore the island.

We found the island to be beautiful – if you pass anyone it is mandatory to wave and wish them “good morning or afternoon” as the case may be – lunch was taken at a very upscale resort type hotel, quite English colonial, although they might not thank us for saying that, with a picture of the Queen on her 60th birthday presiding over the main dining room.

Following having a huge lunch, it was on with the touring and visiting various beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean and watching the surf on the barrier reef about a mile from the beach. Many photo opportunities and I am sure that the head blogger will post lots! A word by the way about the internet here…… we find that the Bahamian Government has given free wifi all over the islands, but you basically have to be in town to obtain this, so you may see pictures of us on the computer in various odd places – today it was on the deck of a closed restaurant where we checked our e mails, I visited the office and Catherine checked the bank and visa accounts.

Seems odd but that’s the way it is here, unfortunately for the boating community the wifi here in Black Sound is very spotty – sometimes you have it and sometimes you don’t, which is frustrating when one wishes to send or receive e mail or use our Skype capabilities.

We expect to be here a few days more so you can expect more on this idyillic place in the coming days when we go into town and post this and Catherine’s snaps.

TTFN

2 comments:

Your son is training us in the ways of making comments. all are agreed that your beard suits you, even mama. chris in order to maintain his youthfullness and neat appearance !!!!!!!!! now uses his wahl trimmer. ps this is maggie typing and not chris!!!

Your son is training us in the ways of making comments. all are agreed that your beard suits you, even mama. chris in order to maintain his youthfullness and neat appearance !!!!!!!!! now uses his wahl trimmer. ps this is maggie typing and not chris!!!